Wellness Policies
Wellness Coordinator/Health Office
Our health office is staffed by our Wellness Coordinator, a registered nurse, a school nurse provided by the St. Paul Public Schools or a trained parent. Their combined schedules allow us to have staffing available every school day. The Wellness Coordinator has created a Coordinated School Health Program that includes: health services, education, behavioral, psychological and mental health components, attention to physical activity, good nutrition awareness, spiritual health, family and community services healthy school environment and staff health promotion.
Medication Distribution
Medication may be administered to a student during the school day when the medication is necessary for the health of the student and cannot be administered at home. Medication required during the school day will be administered by the school nurse or designee.
For prescribed medication, a written order by a prescribing health professional and written authorization by the parent/guardian must be provided to the school. The medication must be brought to school in a container appropriately labeled by a pharmacist or the prescribing health professional. Medication is kept in a locked medication cart in the Health Office.
Pain Relievers
At the request of parents, over-the-counter pain medication will be administered by the school nurse or designee. No medication will be given without written parental/guardian authorization.
Illness/Emergencies
A parent/guardian will be called if a child becomes ill or is injured at school. Parents will be called to pick up their child if they have a temperature of 100 degrees or more. Please be sure all necessary information is on the Emergency Card and notify the office in writing when any changes are made.
Returning to School After Illness
Children should remain home from school when they are ill. This includes:
- 24 hours after beginning antibiotics for a contagious condition
- 24 hours after symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting cease
- 24 hours after temperature returns to normal after a fever
- The diagnosis of any infectious condition such as (but not limited to) chicken pox, strep, staph, lice and pink eye must be reported to the office immediately.
Immunizations
MN Statute 1991, Section 123,70 required all children who are enrolled in a Minnesota school be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella allowing for certain specified exemptions. Immunization records must be on file in the health office.
Safe Environment Policy
Highland Catholic School and the Lumen Christi Catholic Community have established the following policy and procedures that will help create a safe environment for all members of our parish and school community.
Policy
Highland Catholic School and Lumen Christi Catholic Community will provide a safe environment, allowing the gospel message of Jesus Christ to permeate our minds, hearts and souls. As a Catholic Christian Community, we will give preferential care to the vulnerable in our midst.
The mission of the Safe Environment Program is to proclaim to our community our obligation to provide for the safety, care and nurturing of our children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Procedures
We will initiate or continue:
- Follow essential norms for dealing with allegations of sexual abuse established by the U.S.C.C.B., United States Council of Catholic Bishops;
- Use the Codes of Conduct for ministers (Employee Handbook), staff (Employee Handbook), parents, volunteers (Volunteer Handbook) and student (Code of Conduct);
- Use the Background Checks for all volunteers that have regular, unsupervised contact with children and vulnerable adults;
- Provide classroom instruction on personal safety (Archdiocesan approved programs);
- Follow all church and state mandated reporting laws and procedures, and
- Establish annual review of the policy, procedures and training programs to ensure that they are meeting the goals of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Adults.
Asbestos
Highland Catholic School is under contract with MacNeil Environmental, Inc. to ensure compliance with the 1983 Right to Know Law and all federal and state legislation concerning asbestos-containing materials. A copy of our Asbestos Management Plan is available for review through the school office. Questions regarding the plan may be directed to our Business Manager at 651-690-2477,
ext: 107.
Pesticides
A Minnesota state law went into effect in year 2000 that requires schools to inform parents and guardians if they apply certain pesticides on school property. Specifically, this law requires schools that apply these pesticides to maintain an estimated schedule of pesticide applications and to make the schedule available to parents and guardians for review or copying at each school
office.
State law also requires that you be told that the long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides or the class of chemicals to which they belong may not be fully Understood. If you would like to be notified prior to pesticide applications made on days other than those specified in the estimated schedule (excluding emergency applications), please complete and return the form below and mail it to me. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact at school.
Security
All entrances and exits, except the main door are locked during school hours. All visitors and volunteers must report to the school office and sign in. A crisis plan is maintained.
Fire, Tornado and Intruder Drills
Highland Catholic School recognizes the importance of fire drills and complies with state and local regulations. The entire school building is wired with a sophisticated sprinkler and smoke/heat detection system which is electronically connected with the St. Paul Fire Department. All rooms in the building are posted with emergency exit signage. Teachers are familiar with evacuation procedures.
Highland Catholic School participates in the State of Minnesota's annual tornado drill. Classrooms report to the tunnel system located under the church and practice proper safety procedures.
Highland Catholic School has established and annually practices a lock-down procedure for student safety in the event of a crisis, as mandated by the State of Minnesota.